Ready to rock the beach

SOMERSET — When Eddie Fonseca was 16 years old, he was playing in a band that played the chart-topping hits of that time. Now 62 years old, he is playing a lot of those same songs again and more in a band. Eddie & the Exciters will be performing those tunes at Pierce Beach Park this Sunday, July 27, in a concert that will begin at 5:30 p.m.

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By GEORGE AUSTIN

southcoasttoday.com

By GEORGE AUSTIN

Posted Jul. 25, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By GEORGE AUSTIN

Posted Jul. 25, 2014 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

SOMERSET — When Eddie Fonseca was 16 years old, he was playing in a band that played the chart-topping hits of that time. Now 62 years old, he is playing a lot of those same songs again and more in a band. Eddie & the Exciters will be performing those tunes at Pierce Beach Park this Sunday, July 27, in a concert that will begin at 5:30 p.m.

"We play parts of the '50s, '60s and early '70s," Fonseca said. "We can go into the '80s. This band is so versatile, we can play anything practically. These guys are pros."

Eddie & the Exciters has been together for seven months. The band consists of Fonseca, the lead singer, Roger Thibault, 60, on keyboards and vocals, David Jacobs, 57, on lead guitar and vocals, Earl Fox, 66, on drums and Tommy Souza, 63, on bass guitar and vocals.

"We wanted to bring back the music we played as kids," Fonseca said.

Fonseca said he and Souza left a band to join Jacobs, Thibault and Fox who were leaving another band. Fox said all of the members of Eddie & the Exciters played in bands in the 1960s and 1970s. When he was under age, Fonseca was chaperoned by his mother so he could play in bars. Fonseca said Thibault, who is like the music director of the band, has played all over the east coast. And Jacobs has played with many rock bands.

Fonseca said people can not believe the chemistry the band has for being together only a short period of time. He said the musicians have fun on stage.

"For a band that's been together seven months, we're a powerhouse band," Fonseca said.

Fonseca said the music Eddie & the Exciters play includes a little bit of pop and soul. Some of the songs they perform include "My Girl," "Needles and Pins" from The Searchers, "Woolly Bully," "Stand by Me" and "Under the Boardwalk."

"We do a lot of British invasion because that's when the Beatles brought it over," Fonseca said. "We're different than other bands because we play songs other bands don't play. We stay away from the standards . We do play some standards, like 'Pretty Woman' and 'Old Time Rock 'N Roll,' but we play one-hit wonders and people like that."

Fonseca said there is a place for the music that Eddie & the Exciters play in the live music market today.

"A lot of the clubs are looking for the older crowd now, rather than the younger crowd" Fonseca said.

The band members wear nero suits from the 1960s when they are performing.

"We basically look like the Dave Clark Five, the Beatles, all the British bands that came over," Fonseca said. "That's our look."

In between sets, Fonseca said the members of the band like to talk to the people in the audience. He said the band members are very energetic.

"We have a lot of fun," Fonseca said. "We make people laugh."

Fonseca said the band does a salute to the nation's war veterans during the concert.

Those who come to the concert on Sunday are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets that they can set up on the sand at the beach where they have a good view of the stage.

The concession stand at Pierce Beach Park will be open for the concert. If the concert is canceled because of inclement weather, it will be held on Aug. 3.

Fox lives in Somerset and will be playing at the Pierce Beach Park stage for the first time.

"The way he plays drums, he looks like he is in his 20s," Fonseca said.